Slovak PM pushes to resume Russian gas transit through Ukraine

Electricity supply and open transit issues

"It is a fact that we have different views on gas transit. Friends need to speak frankly. And so it is a fact that Slovakia is ready to provide energy supplies in the form of electricity," Fico says.

According to him, Slovakia can supply a certain amount of electricity, which helps stabilize the Ukrainian power system. At the same time, the issue of gas transit, according to Fico, remains open.

"As I have already said, we do not identify with and do not have a final decision in our minds on the issue of gas transit through your territory. I understand that there is a war going on. On the other hand, not all arguments can be accepted. Because Russia is currently the second largest gas supplier in Europe," he says.

Fico stresses that in the process of Ukraine's accession to the EU, it is important to determine the future of gas transit through Ukrainian territory: "Will it be possible to use it or not? The war will end, and we pray that this will happen as soon as possible. And we, as friends, want to speak frankly, because our views do not always coincide."

Slovakia wants to be good neighbor to Ukraine

"I want you, Madam Prime Minister, to understand me correctly. Why, on the one hand, do we use the infrastructure to supply gas to Ukraine and not use it for transit to the Slovak Republic? Needless to say, the Slovak budget loses 500-600 million euros every year," Fico says.

At the end, he adds that Bratislava is ready for constructive cooperation with Kyiv:

"Dear Prime Minister, the Slovak government is ready to cooperate with you as a good neighbor. We want to be a good neighbor."

Svyrydenko and Fico meeting

On Friday, October 17, consultations between the Ukrainian and Slovak governments began in Slovakia.

During talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, Fico expressed support for Ukraine's desire to join the European Union, but not NATO.

The talks were held in Košice, Slovakia's second-largest city, located in the east of the country. The city has a population of about 225,000.

Gas transit from Russia

On January 1, 2025, the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine was suspended due to the expiration of the contract between Naftogaz of Ukraine and Gazprom, which was signed in 2019. Kyiv did not renew the agreement due to Russia's aggression.

Fuel supplies to Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria via the Ukrainian gas transmission system were halted.